Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas As you know the Texas economy has been recovering from the economic recession and although the outlook is better lawmakers will need to continue to employ conservative budgeting tactics to adequately fund all essential services while keeping government growth in check. More money should not mean more government. This week the baseline budget bill was filed.
Budget
This budget calls for $187.7 billion to fund state services over the next two years. A few highlights of the bill include funding education to meet projected enrollment increases over the next two years and covering projected growth in Medicaid.
Due to robust oil and gas production across the state lawmakers are entering budget negotiations this session with roughly 5 percent more in state funds for this budget cycle than in the last. Comptroller Combs has also stated that $11.8 billion in rainy-day dollars will be available by August 2015. Still the budget is tight due to factors such as healthcare and education spending. Last session our Medicaid program was underfunded by over $4 billion and because of federal law that bill will need to be paid right away.
While were talking numbers Id like to take this opportunity to clear up a recent rumor that has been circulating in the district regarding an alleged staff and legislator pay raise. This rumor is inaccurate. Each month legislators must operate their offices off of a monthly operating allowance. This allowance must cover items such as staff salaries office supplies district office rent utilities and more.
Because session requires more personnel and more resources the House Rules allow for an allowance increase during session which is then reduced once session concludes. This rule was primarily adopted to help members pay for the additional staff they hire during session and then terminate as soon as session is over.
Transportation
While the oil and gas industry has been a boom for our economy it has been a bust for transportation. TxDOT is seeking $1.6 billion dollars to combat energy sector activities which have decimated many Texas roadways. However its not just energy sector activities that are causing us headaches.
TxDOT currently spends $3 billion per year on maintenance but needs $4 billion.
The fact of the matter is this Texas population is growing at a rapid pace and our transportation infrastructure must be at a level that can adequately service the population. Our ever-expanding population has resulted in increased highway congestion and significant freight movement across the state has accelerated wear and tear on our highways. Texas not only needs more infrastructure it also needs to be able to maintain its current infrastructure if it is to remain an economic powerhouse in the nation. To put our transportation funding challenges into perspective I offer you this: TxDOT currently spends $3 billion/year on maintenance but needs $4 billion.
Diversions from our State Highway Fund (Fund 6) which is used to build and maintain roads will also be a top priority this session. While we have worked to reduce diversions from Fund 6 there is more to be done. This session state leadership including Speaker Straus has made diversions a top priority. Many lawmakers including myself have committed themselves to a session that practices truth in budgeting. This simply means that if people are paying into a specific fund for a specific purpose they should have every expectation that well use it for that purpose. I am excited that the state leadership has made this a priority and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Legislature to tackle this issue.
Education
This session the Legislature will again be faced with challenges surrounding public education. Funding will undoubtedly be at the center of debate. Each year tens of thousands of new students enter the Texas public schools system and providing adequate funding for each pupil will certainly test lawmakers.
As you all may know there are currently 6 lawsuits pending against the state alleging that our current system of school finance is unconstitutional. Each of the lawsuits has been rolled into a single case that opened late year before state District Judge John Dietz in Austin.
The Supreme Court is expected to get the case this year but a final decision isnt expected until fall 2013. Once the school finance lawsuits are settled and rulings are issued the Legislature may need to make legislative changes to comply with said rulings.
Water
Coming off the heels of the worst one year drought in state history Texas Legislators will be faced with policy decisions regarding water management. The Texas Water Development Boards 2012 State Water Plan predicts water demand in Texas will rise by 22 percent by 2060 and estimates that should we experience another drought of record" like in the 1950s it could cost Texas businesses and workers nearly $116 billion in income by 2060.
…Texas will need $53 billion over 30 years to fund its water plan...
Legislators are already considering new water management solutions such as aquifer storage and recovery; the use of treated wastewater for irrigation; the creation of new reservoirs; and desalination. Current estimates state that Texas will need $53 billion over 30 years to fund its water plan with a portion of this money coming from the state and a portion from local government.
Second Amendment Rights
Given the recent tragedy in Connecticut there have been increased discussions regarding the need for greater gun control. As a strong proponent for the Second Amendment I can assure you that I will fight hard to ensure that your right to bear arms is protected. I anticipate this will be a hotly debated subject during the upcoming session and I look forward to discussing options that continue to allow responsible law-abiding citizens such as yourself to exercise their constitutional right.
GROWING THE ECONOMY
Keeping Texass economy going strong is one of my top priorities. I understand that the best way to help grow our economy is by helping businesses provide more opportunities for working families not by weighing them down with unnecessary taxes. As the President of the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute I am looking at ways this session to help businesses in our state by cutting out ineffective and unnecessary taxes while helping to close loopholes that have been created by complex and outdated laws. If youd like to read more about the research we have been doing on this topic and many more please visit the organizations website at http://www.txccri.org/.
HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS
I am proud to report that I was recently re-elected Treasurer of the House Republican Caucus. I have been a member of the Caucus Board since 2003 when I became a member of the House of Representatives. The Caucus is a powerful tool for educating lawmakers on the various issues we encounter throughout the session and Im looking forward to working with the new members of the Caucus to promote strong conservative initiatives this session.
BE BOLD IRVING
On January 25th I along with the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute will be hosting a town hall meeting in Irving. Here I will be leading a discussion about how we can cut back unnecessary spending and improve tax laws in our state. I would like to encourage you all to attend this event. If you plan to attend please register online by clicking here.
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas As you know the Texas economy has been recovering from the economic recession and although the outlook is better lawmakers will need to continue to employ conservative budgeting tactics to adequately fund all essential services while keeping government growth in check. More money should not mean more government. This week the baseline budget bill was filed.
Budget
This budget calls for $187.7 billion to fund state services over the next two years. A few highlights of the bill include funding education to meet projected enrollment increases over the next two years and covering projected growth in Medicaid.
Due to robust oil and gas production across the state lawmakers are entering budget negotiations this session with roughly 5 percent more in state funds for this budget cycle than in the last. Comptroller Combs has also stated that $11.8 billion in rainy-day dollars will be available by August 2015. Still the budget is tight due to factors such as healthcare and education spending. Last session our Medicaid program was underfunded by over $4 billion and because of federal law that bill will need to be paid right away.
While were talking numbers Id like to take this opportunity to clear up a recent rumor that has been circulating in the district regarding an alleged staff and legislator pay raise. This rumor is inaccurate. Each month legislators must operate their offices off of a monthly operating allowance. This allowance must cover items such as staff salaries office supplies district office rent utilities and more.
Because session requires more personnel and more resources the House Rules allow for an allowance increase during session which is then reduced once session concludes. This rule was primarily adopted to help members pay for the additional staff they hire during session and then terminate as soon as session is over.
Transportation
While the oil and gas industry has been a boom for our economy it has been a bust for transportation. TxDOT is seeking $1.6 billion dollars to combat energy sector activities which have decimated many Texas roadways. However its not just energy sector activities that are causing us headaches.
TxDOT currently spends $3 billion per year on maintenance but needs $4 billion.
The fact of the matter is this Texas population is growing at a rapid pace and our transportation infrastructure must be at a level that can adequately service the population. Our ever-expanding population has resulted in increased highway congestion and significant freight movement across the state has accelerated wear and tear on our highways. Texas not only needs more infrastructure it also needs to be able to maintain its current infrastructure if it is to remain an economic powerhouse in the nation. To put our transportation funding challenges into perspective I offer you this: TxDOT currently spends $3 billion/year on maintenance but needs $4 billion.
Diversions from our State Highway Fund (Fund 6) which is used to build and maintain roads will also be a top priority this session. While we have worked to reduce diversions from Fund 6 there is more to be done. This session state leadership including Speaker Straus has made diversions a top priority. Many lawmakers including myself have committed themselves to a session that practices truth in budgeting. This simply means that if people are paying into a specific fund for a specific purpose they should have every expectation that well use it for that purpose. I am excited that the state leadership has made this a priority and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Legislature to tackle this issue.
Education
This session the Legislature will again be faced with challenges surrounding public education. Funding will undoubtedly be at the center of debate. Each year tens of thousands of new students enter the Texas public schools system and providing adequate funding for each pupil will certainly test lawmakers.
As you all may know there are currently 6 lawsuits pending against the state alleging that our current system of school finance is unconstitutional. Each of the lawsuits has been rolled into a single case that opened late year before state District Judge John Dietz in Austin.
The Supreme Court is expected to get the case this year but a final decision isnt expected until fall 2013. Once the school finance lawsuits are settled and rulings are issued the Legislature may need to make legislative changes to comply with said rulings.
Water
Coming off the heels of the worst one year drought in state history Texas Legislators will be faced with policy decisions regarding water management. The Texas Water Development Boards 2012 State Water Plan predicts water demand in Texas will rise by 22 percent by 2060 and estimates that should we experience another drought of record" like in the 1950s it could cost Texas businesses and workers nearly $116 billion in income by 2060.
…Texas will need $53 billion over 30 years to fund its water plan...
Legislators are already considering new water management solutions such as aquifer storage and recovery; the use of treated wastewater for irrigation; the creation of new reservoirs; and desalination. Current estimates state that Texas will need $53 billion over 30 years to fund its water plan with a portion of this money coming from the state and a portion from local government.
Second Amendment Rights
Given the recent tragedy in Connecticut there have been increased discussions regarding the need for greater gun control. As a strong proponent for the Second Amendment I can assure you that I will fight hard to ensure that your right to bear arms is protected. I anticipate this will be a hotly debated subject during the upcoming session and I look forward to discussing options that continue to allow responsible law-abiding citizens such as yourself to exercise their constitutional right.
GROWING THE ECONOMY
Keeping Texass economy going strong is one of my top priorities. I understand that the best way to help grow our economy is by helping businesses provide more opportunities for working families not by weighing them down with unnecessary taxes. As the President of the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute I am looking at ways this session to help businesses in our state by cutting out ineffective and unnecessary taxes while helping to close loopholes that have been created by complex and outdated laws. If youd like to read more about the research we have been doing on this topic and many more please visit the organizations website at http://www.txccri.org/.
HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS
I am proud to report that I was recently re-elected Treasurer of the House Republican Caucus. I have been a member of the Caucus Board since 2003 when I became a member of the House of Representatives. The Caucus is a powerful tool for educating lawmakers on the various issues we encounter throughout the session and Im looking forward to working with the new members of the Caucus to promote strong conservative initiatives this session.
BE BOLD IRVING
On January 25th I along with the Texas Conservative Coalition Research Institute will be hosting a town hall meeting in Irving. Here I will be leading a discussion about how we can cut back unnecessary spending and improve tax laws in our state. I would like to encourage you all to attend this event. If you plan to attend please register online by clicking here.
